The Masters Returns in April 7-13, 2008

The Masters tournament, generally regarded as the most prestigious of the US Open events, returns April 5th. The good news is that the weather report is looking impeccable, with temperatures in the low to mid 80’s for the entire four days of play. This means all the players get to play at their optimal level and all the fans get to line the gallery in shorts and sunscreen.

Whenever you think of big time golf tournaments, the first name that comes to your mind is Tiger Woods. If Woods can win the 2008 Masters, which he is a favorite to do, he will only be one behind the record of six wins by the “Golden Bear,” Jack Nicklaus.

Mind you Nicklaus and his six wins came over a 23 year old period and Tiger Woods has already won four in only his 10th year. Woods has only played in four events this year, but has won two of them. He showed that he is ready for the Masters when last week he won the World Golf Championships by two strokes, indicating he is ready to go for number five.

2008 Golf Course Changes

Billy Payne, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament, announced some changes to four holes, Nos. 1, 7, 9 and 11, for the 2008 Masters. In addition, other modifications were made on the grounds.

“Refinements to the golf course and grounds have been made almost every year since the Tournament’s inception and this year was no exception,” Payne said. “Overall, we are happy with the golf course. We think last year’s exceptionally high scores were an anomaly due to the frigid, windy weather.”

The changes for the 2008 Masters are:

Hole No. 1: Ten yards were added to the front of the Masters tee providing more flexibility in the event of a strong northwest wind. Back of the tee was reduced to ease patron movement. Masters scorecard remains 455 yards.

Hole No. 7: Green was changed for agronomic reasons and approximately six feet added to the left of the green allowing the possibility of 2-3 additional pin placements.

Hole No. 9: Green was changed for agronomic reasons and right pin placement softened on first and middle plateaus.

Hole No. 11: Consistent with last year, several trees were removed. The result allows for enhanced patron viewing.

Additional work throughout the course included construction of a new patron viewing area on the hillside at No. 16, further work on the new practice facility that will open in 2010, adding and extending azalea beds to increase course color and replacing grass with pine straw between Nos. 15 and 17 (pine straw was also added to the left of No. 15).

The hillside seating area is located to the left of the pond at No. 16 and will provide viewing for over 2,000 patrons. Holes that can be viewed from this location include No. 6 green, the second shot and every putt at No. 15, the green complex at No. 16 and the tee shot and second shot at No. 17.

Easy access can be gained to this area from a newly renovated back entrance. From there, patrons can travel to No. 16 hillside, No. 5 fairway or to holes Nos. 13, 14 and Amen Corner.